Election Commission agrees to hear BJP leader’s plea seeking cancellation of Congress's hand symbol
The petitioner claimed that the party was has an undue advantage as its candidates and supporters always carry the symbol, even when campaigning has stopped.
The Election Commission on Thursday agreed to hear a petition filed against the Indian National Congress’ retention of the hand symbol on April 19, ANI reported.
In its petition, the Bharatiya Janata Party has claimed that the symbol violates the Model Code of Conduct as the hand is part of human body, News18 reported. The Election Commission told the applicant, Ashwini Upadhyay, that Deputy Election Commissioner Bhushan Chandra Kumar will hear the plea.
The Model Code of Conduct, imposed before and during an election, prohibits canvassing during that period. The petitioner alleged that the Congress has an undue advantage with the symbol. “Since the election symbol of Indian National Congress is ‘Hand’, its candidates, supporters and agents always carry it, even when campaigning is stopped.”
His petition further said: “Every time a candidate of the said party or his supporter passes through voters in public gathering, they use ‘Palm of Hand’ to solicit vote for Congress candidate, not only prior to the polling, even on the polling day within the 100 meters.”
